Both sides in the Syrian conflict have blamed the other for firing a chemical weapon at a village killing 16 people.

Heavy fighting for control of the international airport in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo and a major military air base nearby has killed some 150 rebels and government soldiers over the past two days, activists say.

Syrian rebels are battling President Bashar Assad’s forces for control of the main airport in the northern city of Aleppo, activists say.

The Syrian army promised to observe a four-day ceasefire for a Muslim holiday starting today, while rebels claimed to have taken control of new areas in the key battleground of Aleppo.